Throughout the country, swaths of dozens — sometimes hundreds — of teens are creating chaos in malls, public pools and other community spaces, with some instances leading to arrests for violent behavior and bans from businesses.

On Independence Day weekend, a crowd of hundreds of teens descended on an Illinois pool, disturbing families and partaking in illegal activity that led to the arrest of one individual. 

Officers with the Glen Ellyn Police Department were called to the local park district’s pool at around 5 p.m. July 5 for reports of “a growing crowd of teenagers and young adults” that grew to approximately 200 to 300 individuals, according to a media release. 

The use of social media also plays a unique role in not only allowing teens to organize quickly, but encouraging them to act out for online validation, according to Alpert. 

“Social media has only made it worse,” Alpert said. “These gatherings aren’t spontaneous. They’re staged for likes, shares and clout. The behavior escalates because there are no real consequences.”

The licensed psychotherapist implores parents, law enforcement and businesses to work together to reach a solution regarding not only holding children accountable, but keeping them safe. 

“Businesses and communities must crack down with clear, consistent enforcement,” Alpert said. “But let’s not pretend this is just a policing issue. It’s a parenting issue. It’s a cultural issue. And unless adults step up and model respect for rules and shared spaces, we’ll keep seeing teens treating public areas like their personal playgrounds.”